Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/424

398 disposition. The bird I saw look up its quarters in a thick mangrove swamp, and remained there, or in some tall thick cedars hard by, for several days. An intelligent coloured boy in charge of cattle on an adjoining meadow, who really does know how to describe a bird, saw it frequently, and told me it was very wild and hard to get near. This is very unlike the "Robin" I have met with in Canada and the United States. It is a thousand pities that this fine bird cannot be persuaded to stay and breed in Bermuda, and to add its music to that of the common resident species. Major Wedderburn mentions (Nat. in B., p. 27) that a portion of a small flock of unfortunates, which made their appearance in February, 1850, was spared, in the hope that they might be tempted to remain; but they all disappeared in a few weeks' lime, not leaving a single straggler. [A male of this species was shot in Devonshire Swamp on November 27th, 1875.—H.D.]

Turdus mustelinus, Wood Thrush.—Only one appearance of this species is on record, viz., in the autumn of 1849—a season also memorable in Bermuda annals for an extraordinary invasion of Swallows and Cuckoos which took place throughout the islands. Both Major Wedderburn and Mr. Hurdis obtained specimens of this Thrush, but Mr. Bartram was not so fortunate.

Turdus Swainsoni, Olive-backed Thrush.—This species also visited Bermuda in small numbers during the productive autumn of 1849, when a few were obtained. It has since occurred, at long intervals, in the autumn. Mr. Bartram's collection contains three specimens of various dates. On April 29th, 1875, I shot a fine male in Smith's Marsh, the only instance of its vernal appearance. The stomach contained four or five white grubs, and some fragments of marsh plants. [One was brought to me on September 22nd, 1875; and another, a male, was killed by a boy with a stick in Devonshire Swamp, and brought to me on February 19th, 1876.—H.D.]

Mimus carolinensis, Cat Bird, locally termed "Blackbird."—Resident and abundant; its harsh, mewing cry may be heard all the year round, relieved in spring by a weak but commendable roundelay. After a shower of rain in May or June the marshes appear literally alive with these sprightly birds, and a most agreeable concert takes place among the males, prolonged till dusk should the weather continue fine. On ordinary occasions during spring time they sing a good deal, but rain seems to delight them